Swift and effective implementation of the European Union’s reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is essential to restoring fish stocks and the viability of fishing communities, says a new report by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The report depicts the historical richness and diversity of the seas of north-western Europe, how those traits spurred development along the seas’ shores, the effects of too much fishing, and the role of EU fisheries management.
“EU fisheries ministers have yet to fully embrace the reformed Common Fisheries Policy that requires ending overfishing,” said Uta Bellion, director of Pew’s European marine programme. “Implementing the CFP without delay will fundamentally transform commercial fisheries in the region, allow overfished stocks to recover, and ensure that these seas are once again full of life.”
Pew’s report, Turning the Tide, covers waters of north-western Europe that include the North, Irish, and Celtic seas and the north-east Atlantic. It points out that the loss of key fisheries has caused widespread cultural and economic hardship to fishing communities.
The CFP, which came into effect 1 January 2014, requires that EU member states end overfishing by 2015 where possible, and no later than 2020 elsewhere, to help fish stocks rebuild to sustainable levels.
But Pew pointed out that in December 2014, EU ministers agreed to fishing limits in the region for 2015 that exceeded the scientific advice in the majority of cases, continuing a 30-year history of overfishing.
